Channel state feedback using sensing reference signals

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of wireless communications, and more specifically to the provision of channel state feedback.

In a joint communication and sensing (JCS) system, time, frequency, and spatial radio resources can be allocated to support both wireless communications between cooperating devices and remote radar sensing of other devices. A JCS system can be implemented in a radio access network (RAN). In a RAN that implements a JCS system, RAN nodes can transmit sensing reference signals to support radar sensing operations of devices in the RAN. Concurrently, the RAN nodes can transmit channel state information reference signals for use by devices in the RAN as a basis for performing channel state measurements and providing channel state feedback.

An example method for wireless communication by a wireless communication device in a radio access network (RAN), according to this disclosure, may include identifying a channel state information (CSI) report configuration based on CSI reporting configuration information received from a RAN node of the RAN, based on the CSI report configuration, identifying a set of basis reference signals to be measured on a wireless channel of the RAN, wherein the set of basis reference signals includes one or more sensing reference signals, measuring the set of basis reference signals to obtain channel state measurements, determining channel state information based on the channel state measurements, and transmitting a CSI report including the channel state information to the RAN node.

An example wireless communication device, according to this disclosure, may include a transceiver, a memory, and one or more processors communicatively coupled with the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to identify a CSI report configuration based on CSI reporting configuration information received from a RAN node of a RAN, based on the CSI report configuration, identify a set of basis reference signals to be measured on a wireless channel of the RAN, wherein the set of basis reference signals includes one or more sensing reference signals, measure the set of basis reference signals to obtain channel state measurements, determine channel state information based on the channel state measurements, and transmit a CSI report including the channel state information to the RAN node.

An example non-transitory computer-readable medium, according to this disclosure, may store wireless communication instructions for a wireless communication device, and the instructions may include code for identifying a CSI report configuration based on CSI reporting configuration information received from a RAN node of a RAN, based on the CSI report configuration, identifying a set of basis reference signals to be measured on a wireless channel of the RAN, wherein the set of basis reference signals includes one or more sensing reference signals, measuring the set of basis reference signals to obtain channel state measurements, determining channel state information based on the channel state measurements, and transmitting a CSI report including the channel state information to the RAN node.

An example wireless communication apparatus, according to this disclosure, may include means for identifying a CSI report configuration based on CSI reporting configuration information received from a RAN node of a RAN, means for identifying, based on the CSI report configuration, a set of basis reference signals to be measured on a wireless channel of the RAN, wherein the set of basis reference signals includes one or more sensing reference signals, means for measuring the set of basis reference signals to obtain channel state measurements, means for determining channel state information based on the channel state measurements; and means for transmitting a CSI report including the channel state information to the RAN node.

This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this disclosure, any or all drawings, and each claim. The foregoing, together with other features and examples, will be described in more detail below in the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings.

110 110 1 110 2 110 3 110 110 110 110 110 1 110 2 110 3 110 110 110 a b c a b c Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements, in accordance with certain example implementations. In addition, multiple instances of an element may be indicated by following a first number for the element with a letter or a hyphen and a second number. For example, multiple instances of an elementmay be indicated as-,-,-etc. or as,,, etc. When referring to such an element using only the first number, any instance of the element is to be understood (e.g., elementin the previous example would refer to elements-,-, and-or to elements,, and).

The following description is directed to certain implementations for the purposes of describing innovative aspects of various embodiments. However, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied in a multitude of different ways. The described implementations may be implemented in any device, system, or network that is capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according to any communication standard, such as any of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.4 standards for ultra-wideband (UWB), IEEE 802.11 standards (including those identified as Wi-Fi® technologies), the Bluetooth® standard, code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), GSM/General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA), Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA), Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO), 1×EV-DO, EV-DO Rev A, EV-DO Rev B, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Evolved High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), or other known signals that are used to communicate within a wireless, cellular or internet of things (IoT) network, such as a system utilizing 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, or further implementations thereof, technology.

As used herein, an “RF signal” comprises an electromagnetic wave that transports information through the space between a transmitter (or transmitting device) and a receiver (or receiving device). As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single “RF signal” or multiple “RF signals” to a receiver. However, the receiver may receive multiple “RF signals” corresponding to each transmitted RF signal due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multiple channels or paths.

Additionally, unless otherwise specified, references to “reference signals,” “positioning reference signals,” “reference signals for positioning,” and the like may be used to refer to signals used for positioning of a user equipment (UE). As described in more detail herein, such signals may comprise any of a variety of signal types but may not necessarily be limited to a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) as defined in relevant wireless standards.

Further, unless otherwise specified, the term “positioning” as used herein may absolute location determination, relative location determination, ranging, or a combination thereof. Such positioning may include and/or be based on timing, angular, phase, or power measurements, or a combination thereof (which may include RF sensing measurements) for the purpose of location or sensing services.

Various aspects relate generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to the provision of channel state feedback. Some aspects more specifically relate to the use of sensing reference signals as a basis for determining channel state information that is conveyed via channel state feedback. According to various aspects, a RAN node in a RAN cell can transmit both CSI-RSs and sensing reference signals (RSs). The RAN node can transmit the sensing reference signals during designated sensing slots, and can provide devices in the RAN cell with information usable to identify those sensing slots. In some implementations, the RAN node can have the ability to configure devices in the RAN cell to implement sensing RS-based channel state measurements. In some implementations, while one or more devices in the RAN cell are configured to implement sensing RS-based channel state measurements, the RAN node can drop CSI-RS transmission occasions that fall within sensing slots. In various implementations, based on CSI report configurations specified by the RAN node, devices in the RAN cell may derive CSI measurements based in part or whole on sensing reference signals. According to some implementations, some devices can derive CSI measurements based on both sensing reference signals and on CSI-RSs. According to some implementations, some devices can derive CSI measurements based solely on sensing reference signals. In various implementations, allowing devices to perform channel state measurements based on sensing reference signals can support improvements in spectral efficiency in conjunction with joint communication and sensing (JCS).

1 FIG. 2 FIG. 100 105 160 100 100 100 105 110 120 130 160 170 180 100 105 105 110 120 130 is a simplified illustration of a positioning systemin which a UE, location server, and/or other components of the positioning systemcan use the techniques provided herein for channel state feedback using sensing reference signals, according to an embodiment. The techniques described herein may be implemented by one or more components of the positioning system. The positioning systemcan include: a UE; one or more satellites(also referred to as space vehicles (SVs)), which may include Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites (e.g., satellites of the Global Positioning System (GPS), GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, etc.) and/or Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) satellites; base stations; access points (APs); location server; network; and external client. Generally put, the positioning systemcan estimate a location of the UEbased on RF signals received by and/or sent from the UEand known locations of other components (e.g., GNSS satellites, base stations, APs) transmitting and/or receiving the RF signals. Additional details regarding particular location estimation techniques are discussed in more detail with regard to.

1 FIG. 1 FIG. 105 100 100 120 130 100 180 160 It should be noted thatprovides only a generalized illustration of various components, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate, and each of which may be duplicated as necessary. Specifically, although only one UEis illustrated, it will be understood that many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may utilize the positioning system. Similarly, the positioning systemmay include a larger or smaller number of base stationsand/or APsthan illustrated in. The illustrated connections that connect the various components in the positioning systemcomprise data and signaling connections which may include additional (intermediary) components, direct or indirect physical and/or wireless connections, and/or additional networks. Furthermore, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, substituted, and/or omitted, depending on desired functionality. In some embodiments, for example, the external clientmay be directly connected to location server. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many modifications to the components illustrated.

170 170 170 170 170 170 Depending on desired functionality, the networkmay comprise any of a variety of wireless and/or wireline networks. The networkcan, for example, comprise any combination of public and/or private networks, local and/or wide-area networks, and the like. Furthermore, the networkmay utilize one or more wired and/or wireless communication technologies. In some embodiments, the networkmay comprise a cellular or other mobile network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless wide-area network (WWAN), and/or the Internet, for example. Examples of networkinclude a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network, a Fifth Generation (5G) wireless network (also referred to as New Radio (NR) wireless network or 5G NR wireless network), a Wi-Fi WLAN, and the Internet. LTE, 5G and NR are wireless technologies defined, or being defined, by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Networkmay also include more than one network and/or more than one type of network.

120 130 170 120 170 120 120 170 120 130 105 160 170 120 133 130 170 105 160 135 145 s The base stationsand access points (APs)may be communicatively coupled to the network. In some embodiments, the base stationmay be owned, maintained, and/or operated by a cellular network provider, and may employ any of a variety of wireless technologies, as described herein below. Depending on the technology of the network, a base stationmay comprise a node B, an Evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a base transceiver station (BTS), a radio base station (RBS), an NR NodeB (gNB), a Next Generation eNB (ng-eNB), or the like. A base stationthat is a gNB or ng-eNB may be part of a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) which may connect to a 5G Core Network (5GC) in the case that Networkis a 5G network. The functionality performed by a base stationin earlier-generation networks (e.g., 3G and 4G) may be separated into different functional components (e.g., radio units (RUs), distributed units (DUs), and central units (CUs)) and layers (e.g., L1/L2/L3) in view Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN) and/or Virtualized Radio Access Network (V-RAN or vRAN) in 5G or later networks, which may be executed on different devices at different locations connected, for example, via fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul connections. As referred to herein, a “base station” (or ng-eNB, gNB, etc.) may include any or all of these functional components. An APmay comprise a Wi-Fi AP or a Bluetooth® AP or an AP having cellular capabilities (e.g., 4G LTE and/or 5G NR), for example. Thus, UEcan send and receive information with network-connected devices, such as location server, by accessing the networkvia a base stationusing a first communication link. Additionally or alternatively, because APsalso may be communicatively coupled with the network, UEmay communicate with network-connected and Internet-connected devices, including location server, using a second communication link, or via one or more other mobile devices.

120 120 120 120 As used herein, the term “base station” may generically refer to a single physical transmission point, or multiple co-located physical transmission points, which may be located at a base station. A Transmission Reception Point (TRP) (also known as transmit/receive point) corresponds to this type of transmission point, and the term “TRP” may be used interchangeably herein with the terms “gNB,” “ng-eNB,” and “base station.” In some cases, a base stationmay comprise multiple TRPs—e.g. with each TRP associated with a different antenna or a different antenna array for the base station. As used herein, the transmission functionality of a TRP may be performed with a transmission point (TP) and/or the reception functionality of a TRP may be performed by a reception point (RP), which may be physically separate or distinct from a TP. That said, a TRP may comprise both a TP and an RP. Physical transmission points may comprise an array of antennas of a base station(e.g., as in a Multiple Input-Multiple Output (MIMO) system and/or where the base station employs beamforming). The term “base station” may additionally refer to multiple non-co-located physical transmission points, the physical transmission points may be a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transport medium) or a Remote Radio Head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station).

120 As used herein, the term “cell” may generically refer to a logical communication entity used for communication with a base station, and may be associated with an identifier for distinguishing neighboring cells (e.g., a Physical Cell Identifier (PCID), a Virtual Cell Identifier (VCID)) operating via the same or a different carrier. In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., Machine-Type Communication (MTC), Narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access for different types of devices. In some cases, the term “cell” may refer to a portion of a geographic coverage area (e.g., a sector) over which the logical entity operates.

110 105 110 105 110 110 170 110 120 160 110 Satellitesmay be utilized for positioning of the UEin one or more ways. For example, satellites(also referred to as space vehicles (SVs)) may be part of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), GLONASS, Galileo or Beidou. Positioning using RF signals from GNSS satellites may comprise measuring multiple GNSS signals at a GNSS receiver of the UEto perform code-based and/or carrier-based positioning, which can be highly accurate. Additionally or alternatively, satellitesmay be utilized for NTN-based positioning, in which satellitesmay functionally operate as TRPs (or TPs) of a network (e.g., LTE and/or NR network) and may be communicatively coupled with network. In particular, reference signals (e.g., PRS) transmitted by satellitesNTN-based positioning may be similar to those transmitted by base stations, and may be coordinated by a location server. In some embodiments, satellitesused for NTN-based positioning may be different than those used for GNSS-based positioning. In some embodiments NTN nodes may include non-terrestrial vehicles such as airplanes, balloons, drones, etc., which may be in addition or as an alternative to NTN satellites.

160 105 105 105 160 105 105 160 160 160 105 105 160 105 105 The location servermay comprise a server and/or other computing device configured to determine an estimated location of UEand/or provide data (e.g., “assistance data”) to UEto facilitate location measurement and/or location determination by UE. According to some embodiments, location servermay comprise a Home Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (H-SLP), which may support the SUPL user plane (UP) location solution defined by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) and may support location services for UEbased on subscription information for UEstored in location server. In some embodiments, the location servermay comprise, a Discovered SLP (D-SLP) or an Emergency SLP (E-SLP). The location servermay also comprise an Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) that supports location of UEusing a control plane (CP) location solution for LTE radio access by UE. The location servermay further comprise a Location Management Function (LMF) that supports location of UEusing a control plane (CP) location solution for NR or LTE radio access by UE.

105 170 105 170 105 160 105 170 In a CP location solution, signaling to control and manage the location of UEmay be exchanged between elements of networkand with UEusing existing network interfaces and protocols and as signaling from the perspective of network. In a UP location solution, signaling to control and manage the location of UEmay be exchanged between location serverand UEas data (e.g. data transported using the Internet Protocol (IP) and/or Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)) from the perspective of network.

105 105 105 100 110 130 120 105 As previously noted (and discussed in more detail below), the estimated location of UEmay be based on measurements of RF signals sent from and/or received by the UE. In particular, these measurements can provide information regarding the relative distance and/or angle of the UEfrom one or more components in the positioning system(e.g., GNSS satellites, APs, base stations). The estimated location of the UEcan be estimated geometrically (e.g., using multiangulation and/or multilateration), based on the distance and/or angle measurements, along with known position of the one or more components.

130 120 105 140 105 145 145 1 145 2 145 3 105 145 105 145 105 Although terrestrial components such as APsand base stationsmay be fixed, embodiments are not so limited. Mobile components may be used. For example, in some embodiments, a location of the UEmay be estimated at least in part based on measurements of RF signalscommunicated between the UEand one or more other mobile devices, which may be mobile or fixed. As illustrated, other mobile devices may include, for example, a mobile phone-, vehicle-, static communication/positioning device-, or other static and/or mobile device capable of providing wireless signals used for positioning the UE, or a combination thereof. Wireless signals from mobile devicesused for positioning of the UEmay comprise RF signals using, for example, Bluetooth® (including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)), IEEE 802.11x (e.g., Wi-Fi®), Ultra Wideband (UWB), IEEE 802.15x, or a combination thereof. Mobile devicesmay additionally or alternatively use non-RF wireless signals for positioning of the UE, such as infrared signals or other optical technologies.

145 170 145 105 105 145 145 105 105 145 Mobile devicesmay comprise other UEs communicatively coupled with a cellular or other mobile network (e.g., network). When one or more other mobile devicescomprising UEs are used in the position determination of a particular UE, the UEfor which the position is to be determined may be referred to as the “target UE,” and each of the other mobile devicesused may be referred to as an “anchor UE.” For position determination of a target UE, the respective positions of the one or more anchor UEs may be known and/or jointly determined with the target UE. Direct communication between the one or more other mobile devicesand UEmay comprise sidelink and/or similar Device-to-Device (D2D) communication technologies. Sidelink, which is defined by 3GPP, is a form of D2D communication under the cellular-based LTE and NR standards. UWB may be one such technology by which the positioning of a target device (e.g., UE) may be facilitated using measurements from one or more anchor devices (e.g., mobile devices).

105 105 105 145 3 145 2 105 105 120 130 145 120 130 105 1 FIG. According to some embodiments, such as when the UEcomprises and/or is incorporated into a vehicle, a form of D2D communication used by the mobile devicemay comprise vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. V2X is a communication standard for vehicles and related entities to exchange information regarding a traffic environment. V2X can include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication between V2X-capable vehicles, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication between the vehicle and infrastructure-based devices (commonly termed roadside units (RSUs)), vehicle-to-person (V2P) communication between vehicles and nearby people (pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users), and the like. Further, V2X can use any of a variety of wireless RF communication technologies. Cellular V2X (CV2X), for example, is a form of V2X that uses cellular-based communication such as LTE (4G), NR (5G) and/or other cellular technologies in a direct-communication mode as defined by 3GPP. The UEillustrated inmay correspond to a component or device on a vehicle, RSU, or other V2X entity that is used to communicate V2X messages. In embodiments in which V2X is used, the static communication/positioning device-(which may correspond with an RSU) and/or the vehicle-, therefore, may communicate with the UEand may be used to determine the position of the UEusing techniques similar to those used by base stationsand/or APs(e.g., using multiangulation and/or multilateration). It can be further noted that mobile devices(which may include V2X devices), base stations, and/or APsmay be used together (e.g., in a WWAN positioning solution) to determine the position of the UE, according to some embodiments.

105 105 180 105 105 105 105 120 130 105 145 105 An estimated location of UEcan be used in a variety of applications—e.g. to assist direction finding or navigation for a user of UEor to assist another user (e.g. associated with external client) to locate UE. A “location” is also referred to herein as a “location estimate”, “estimated location”, “location”, “position”, “position estimate”, “position fix”, “estimated position”, “location fix” or “fix”. The process of determining a location may be referred to as “positioning,” “position determination,” “location determination,” or the like. A location of UEmay comprise an absolute location of UE(e.g. a latitude and longitude and possibly altitude) or a relative location of UE(e.g. a location expressed as distances north or south, east or west and possibly above or below some other known fixed location (including, e.g., the location of a base stationor AP) or some other location such as a location for UEat some known previous time, or a location of a mobile device(e.g., another UE) at some known previous time). A location may be specified as a geodetic location comprising coordinates which may be absolute (e.g. latitude, longitude and optionally altitude), relative (e.g. relative to some known absolute location) or local (e.g. X, Y and optionally Z coordinates according to a coordinate system defined relative to a local area such a factory, warehouse, college campus, shopping mall, sports stadium or convention center). A location may instead be a civic location and may then comprise one or more of a street address (e.g. including names or labels for a country, state, county, city, road and/or street, and/or a road or street number), and/or a label or name for a place, building, portion of a building, floor of a building, and/or room inside a building etc. A location may further include an uncertainty or error indication, such as a horizontal and possibly vertical distance by which the location is expected to be in error or an indication of an area or volume (e.g. a circle or ellipse) within which UEis expected to be located with some level of confidence (e.g. 95% confidence).

180 105 105 105 180 105 The external clientmay be a web server or remote application that may have some association with UE(e.g. may be accessed by a user of UE) or may be a server, application, or computer system providing a location service to some other user or users which may include obtaining and providing the location of UE(e.g. to enable a service such as friend or relative finder, or child or pet location). Additionally or alternatively, the external clientmay obtain and provide the location of UEto an emergency services provider, government agency, etc.

100 200 100 200 105 210 1 210 2 210 214 216 210 214 120 216 130 200 105 220 160 200 105 235 240 235 240 2 FIG. 1 FIG. 1 FIG. As previously noted, the example positioning systemcan be implemented using a wireless communication network, such as an LTE-based or 5G NR-based network.shows a diagram of a 5G NR positioning system, illustrating an embodiment of a positioning system (e.g., positioning system) implementing 5G NR. The 5G NR positioning systemmay be configured to determine the location of a UEby using access nodes, which may include NR NodeB (gNB)-and-(collectively and generically referred to herein as gNBs), ng-eNB, and/or WLANto implement one or more positioning methods. The gNBsand/or the ng-eNBmay correspond with base stationsof, and the WLANmay correspond with one or more access pointsof. Optionally, the 5G NR positioning systemadditionally may be configured to determine the location of a UEby using an LMF(which may correspond with location server) to implement the one or more positioning methods. Here, the 5G NR positioning systemcomprises a UE, and components of a 5G NR network comprising a Next Generation (NG) Radio Access Network (RAN) (NG-RAN)and a 5G Core Network (5G CN). A 5G network may also be referred to as an NR network; NG-RANmay be referred to as a 5G RAN or as an NR RAN; and 5G CNmay be referred to as an NG Core network.

200 110 110 110 220 235 110 210 The 5G NR positioning systemmay further utilize information from satellites. As previously indicated, satellitesmay comprise GNSS satellites from a GNSS system like Global Positioning System (GPS) or similar system (e.g. GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS)). Additionally or alternatively, satellitesmay comprise NTN satellites that may be communicatively coupled with the LMFand may operatively function as a TRP (or TP) in the NG-RAN. As such, satellitesmay be in communication with one or more gNB.

2 FIG. 105 200 200 110 210 214 216 215 230 200 It should be noted thatprovides only a generalized illustration of various components, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate, and each of which may be duplicated or omitted as necessary. Specifically, although only one UEis illustrated, it will be understood that many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may utilize the 5G NR positioning system. Similarly, the 5G NR positioning systemmay include a larger (or smaller) number of satellites, gNBs, ng-eNBs, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), Access and mobility Management Functions (AMF)s, external clients, and/or other components. The illustrated connections that connect the various components in the 5G NR positioning systeminclude data and signaling connections which may include additional (intermediary) components, direct or indirect physical and/or wireless connections, and/or additional networks. Furthermore, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, substituted, and/or omitted, depending on desired functionality.

105 105 105 235 240 105 216 105 230 240 225 230 105 225 230 180 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 2 FIG. 1 FIG. The UEmay comprise and/or be referred to as a device, a mobile device, a wireless device, a mobile terminal, a terminal, a mobile station (MS), a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL)-Enabled Terminal (SET), or by some other name. Moreover, UEmay correspond to a cellphone, smartphone, laptop, tablet, personal data assistant (PDA), navigation device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, or some other portable or moveable device. Typically, though not necessarily, the UEmay support wireless communication using one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) such as using GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA, LTE, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX™), 5G NR (e.g., using the NG-RANand 5G CN), etc. The UEmay also support wireless communication using a WLANwhich (like the one or more RATs, and as previously noted with respect to) may connect to other networks, such as the Internet. The use of one or more of these RATs may allow the UEto communicate with an external client(e.g., via elements of 5G CNnot shown in, or possibly via a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC)) and/or allow the external clientto receive location information regarding the UE(e.g., via the GMLC). The external clientofmay correspond to external clientof, as implemented in or communicatively coupled with a 5G NR network.

105 105 105 105 105 105 105 The UEmay include a single entity or may include multiple entities, such as in a personal area network where a user may employ audio, video and/or data I/O devices, and/or body sensors and a separate wireline or wireless modem. An estimate of a location of the UEmay be referred to as a location, location estimate, location fix, fix, position, position estimate, or position fix, and may be geodetic, thus providing location coordinates for the UE(e.g., latitude and longitude), which may or may not include an altitude component (e.g., height above sea level, height above or depth below ground level, floor level or basement level). Alternatively, a location of the UEmay be expressed as a civic location (e.g., as a postal address or the designation of some point or small area in a building such as a particular room or floor). A location of the UEmay also be expressed as an area or volume (defined either geodetically or in civic form) within which the UEis expected to be located with some probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). A location of the UEmay further be a relative location comprising, for example, a distance and direction or relative X, Y (and Z) coordinates defined relative to some origin at a known location which may be defined geodetically, in civic terms, or by reference to a point, area, or volume indicated on a map, floor plan or building plan. In the description contained herein, the use of the term location may comprise any of these variants unless indicated otherwise. When computing the location of a UE, it is common to solve for local X, Y, and possibly Z coordinates and then, if needed, convert the local coordinates into absolute ones (e.g. for latitude, longitude and altitude above or below mean sea level).

235 120 210 210 235 210 210 214 237 105 105 210 240 105 210 214 105 239 105 210 1 210 2 105 105 2 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 2 FIG. Base stations in the NG-RANshown inmay correspond to base stationsinand may include gNBs. Pairs of gNBsin NG-RANmay be connected to one another (e.g., directly as shown inor indirectly via other gNBs). The communication interface between base stations (gNBsand/or ng-eNB) may be referred to as an Xn interface. Access to the 5G network is provided to UEvia wireless communication between the UEand one or more of the gNBs, which may provide wireless communications access to the 5G CNon behalf of the UEusing 5G NR. The wireless interface between base stations (gNBsand/or ng-eNB) and the UEmay be referred to as a Uu interface. 5G NR radio access may also be referred to as NR radio access or as 5G radio access. In, the serving gNB for UEis assumed to be gNB-, although other gNBs (e.g. gNB-) may act as a serving gNB if UEmoves to another location or may act as a secondary gNB to provide additional throughput and bandwidth to UE.

235 214 214 210 235 210 214 105 210 210 2 214 105 105 210 210 2 214 240 230 105 214 214 210 214 200 220 215 2 FIG. 2 FIG. 2 FIG. Base stations in the NG-RANshown inmay also or instead include a next generation evolved Node B, also referred to as an ng-eNB,. Ng-eNBmay be connected to one or more gNBsin NG-RAN—e.g. directly or indirectly via other gNBsand/or other ng-eNBs. An ng-eNBmay provide LTE wireless access and/or evolved LTE (eLTE) wireless access to UE. Some gNBs(e.g. gNB-) and/or ng-eNBinmay be configured to function as positioning-only beacons which may transmit signals (e.g., Positioning Reference Signal (PRS)) and/or may broadcast assistance data to assist positioning of UEbut may not receive signals from UEor from other UEs. Some gNBs(e.g., gNB-and/or another gNB not shown) and/or ng-eNBmay be configured to function as detecting-only nodes may scan for signals containing, e.g., PRS data, assistance data, or other location data. Such detecting-only nodes may not transmit signals or data to UEs but may transmit signals or data (relating to, e.g., PRS, assistance data, or other location data) to other network entities (e.g., one or more components of 5G CN, external client, or a controller) which may receive and store or use the data for positioning of at least UE. It is noted that while only one ng-eNBis shown in, some embodiments may include multiple ng-eNBs. Base stations (e.g., gNBsand/or ng-eNB) may communicate directly with one another via an Xn communication interface. Additionally or alternatively, base stations may communicate directly or indirectly with other components of the 5G NR positioning system, such as the LMFand AMF.

200 216 250 240 216 216 105 130 250 240 215 216 250 105 240 216 105 240 215 250 105 105 240 105 215 216 240 215 250 216 240 216 240 216 216 216 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 2 FIG. 2 FIG. 5G NR positioning systemmay also include one or more WLANswhich may connect to a Non-3GPP InterWorking Function (N3IWF)in the 5G CN(e.g., in the case of an untrusted WLAN). For example, the WLANmay support IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi access for UEand may comprise one or more Wi-Fi APs (e.g., APsof). Here, the N3IWFmay connect to other elements in the 5G CNsuch as AMF. In some embodiments, WLANmay support another RAT such as Bluetooth. The N3IWFmay provide support for secure access by UEto other elements in 5G CNand/or may support interworking of one or more protocols used by WLANand UEto one or more protocols used by other elements of 5G CNsuch as AMF. For example, N3IWFmay support IPSec tunnel establishment with UE, termination of IKEv2/IPSec protocols with UE, termination of N2 and N3 interfaces to 5G CNfor control plane and user plane, respectively, relaying of uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) control plane Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling between UEand AMFacross an N1 interface. In some other embodiments, WLANmay connect directly to elements in 5G CN(e.g. AMFas shown by the dashed line in) and not via N3IWF. For example, direct connection of WLANto 5GCNmay occur if WLANis a trusted WLAN for 5GCNand may be enabled using a Trusted WLAN Interworking Function (TWIF) (not shown in) which may be an element inside WLAN. It is noted that while only one WLANis shown in, some embodiments may include multiple WLANs.

105 215 210 214 216 210 214 216 2 FIG. Access nodes may comprise any of a variety of network entities enabling communication between the UEand the AMF. As noted, this can include gNBs, ng-eNB, WLAN, and/or other types of cellular base stations. However, access nodes providing the functionality described herein may additionally or alternatively include entities enabling communications to any of a variety of RATs not illustrated in, which may include non-cellular technologies. Thus, the term “access node,” as used in the embodiments described herein below, may include but is not necessarily limited to a gNB, ng-eNBor WLAN.

210 214 216 200 220 105 105 105 105 210 214 216 105 235 240 105 2 FIG. 2 FIG. In some embodiments, an access node, such as a gNB, ng-eNB, and/or WLAN(alone or in combination with other components of the 5G NR positioning system), may be configured to, in response to receiving a request for location information from the LMF, obtain location measurements of uplink (UL) signals received from the UE) and/or obtain downlink (DL) location measurements from the UEthat were obtained by UEfor DL signals received by UEfrom one or more access nodes. As noted, whiledepicts access nodes (gNB, ng-eNB, and WLAN) configured to communicate according to 5G NR, LTE, and Wi-Fi communication protocols, respectively, access nodes configured to communicate according to other communication protocols may be used, such as, for example, a Node B using a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) protocol for a Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), an eNB using an LTE protocol for an Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), or a Bluetooth® beacon using a Bluetooth protocol for a WLAN. For example, in a 4G Evolved Packet System (EPS) providing LTE wireless access to UE, a RAN may comprise an E-UTRAN, which may comprise base stations comprising eNBs supporting LTE wireless access. A core network for EPS may comprise an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). An EPS may then comprise an E-UTRAN plus an EPC, where the E-UTRAN corresponds to NG-RANand the EPC corresponds to 5GCNin. The methods and techniques described herein for obtaining a civic location for UEmay be applicable to such other networks.

210 214 215 220 215 105 105 210 214 216 215 105 105 220 105 105 235 216 220 105 215 225 220 215 225 240 105 105 210 214 216 105 220 The gNBsand ng-eNBcan communicate with an AMF, which, for positioning functionality, communicates with an LMF. The AMFmay support mobility of the UE, including cell change and handover of UEfrom an access node (e.g., gNB, ng-eNB, or WLAN) of a first RAT to an access node of a second RAT. The AMFmay also participate in supporting a signaling connection to the UEand possibly data and voice bearers for the UE. The LMFmay support positioning of the UEusing a CP location solution when UEaccesses the NG-RANor WLANand may support position procedures and methods, including UE assisted/UE based and/or network based procedures/methods, such as Assisted GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference Of Arrival (OTDOA) (which may be referred to in NR as Time Difference Of Arrival (TDOA)), Frequency Difference Of Arrival (FDOA), Real Time Kinematic (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhance Cell ID (ECID), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), WLAN positioning, round trip signal propagation delay (RTT), multi-cell RTT, and/or other positioning procedures and methods. The LMFmay also process location service requests for the UE, e.g., received from the AMFor from the GMLC. The LMFmay be connected to AMFand/or to GMLC. In some embodiments, a network such as 5GCNmay additionally or alternatively implement other types of location-support modules, such as an Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) or a SUPL Location Platform (SLP). It is noted that in some embodiments, at least part of the positioning functionality (including determination of a UE's location) may be performed at the UE(e.g., by measuring downlink PRS (DL-PRS) signals transmitted by wireless nodes such as gNBs, ng-eNBand/or WLAN, and/or using assistance data provided to the UE, e.g., by LMF).

225 105 230 215 215 220 220 105 225 215 225 230 The Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC)may support a location request for the UEreceived from an external clientand may forward such a location request to the AMFfor forwarding by the AMFto the LMF. A location response from the LMF(e.g., containing a location estimate for the UE) may be similarly returned to the GMLCeither directly or via the AMF, and the GMLCmay then return the location response (e.g., containing the location estimate) to the external client.

245 240 245 240 105 230 230 240 245 215 225 105 230 A Network Exposure Function (NEF)may be included in 5GCN. The NEFmay support secure exposure of capabilities and events concerning 5GCNand UEto the external client, which may then be referred to as an Access Function (AF) and may enable secure provision of information from external clientto 5GCN. NEFmay be connected to AMFand/or to GMLCfor the purposes of obtaining a location (e.g. a civic location) of UEand providing the location to external client.

2 FIG. 2 FIG. 220 210 214 210 220 214 220 215 220 105 105 220 215 210 1 214 105 220 215 215 105 105 105 220 210 214 210 214 As further illustrated in, the LMFmay communicate with the gNBsand/or with the ng-eNBusing an NR Positioning Protocol annex (NRPPa) as defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa messages may be transferred between a gNBand the LMF, and/or between an ng-eNBand the LMF, via the AMF. As further illustrated in, LMFand UEmay communicate using an LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) as defined in 3GPP TS 37.355. Here, LPP messages may be transferred between the UEand the LMFvia the AMFand a serving gNB-or serving ng-eNBfor UE. For example, LPP messages may be transferred between the LMFand the AMFusing messages for service-based operations (e.g., based on the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)) and may be transferred between the AMFand the UEusing a 5G NAS protocol. The LPP protocol may be used to support positioning of UEusing UE assisted and/or UE based position methods such as A-GNSS, RTK, TDOA, multi-cell RTT, AoD, and/or ECID. The NRPPa protocol may be used to support positioning of UEusing network based position methods such as ECID, AoA, uplink TDOA (UL-TDOA) and/or may be used by LMFto obtain location related information from gNBsand/or ng-eNB, such as parameters defining DL-PRS transmission from gNBsand/or ng-eNB.

105 216 220 105 105 210 214 216 220 215 250 105 216 220 250 220 215 105 250 250 220 105 220 215 250 216 105 105 220 In the case of UEaccess to WLAN, LMFmay use NRPPa and/or LPP to obtain a location of UEin a similar manner to that just described for UEaccess to a gNBor ng-eNB. Thus, NRPPa messages may be transferred between a WLANand the LMF, via the AMFand N3IWFto support network-based positioning of UEand/or transfer of other location information from WLANto LMF. Alternatively, NRPPa messages may be transferred between N3IWFand the LMF, via the AMF, to support network-based positioning of UEbased on location related information and/or location measurements known to or accessible to N3IWFand transferred from N3IWFto LMFusing NRPPa. Similarly, LPP and/or LPP messages may be transferred between the UEand the LMFvia the AMF, N3IWF, and serving WLANfor UEto support UE assisted or UE based positioning of UEby LMF.

200 105 230 220 In a 5G NR positioning system, positioning methods can be categorized as being “UE assisted” or “UE based.” This may depend on where the request for determining the position of the UEoriginated. If, for example, the request originated at the UE (e.g., from an application, or “app,” executed by the UE), the positioning method may be categorized as being UE based. If, on the other hand, the request originates from an external client, LMF, or other device or service within the 5G network, the positioning method may be categorized as being UE assisted (or “network-based”).

105 220 105 210 214 216 105 110 With a UE-assisted position method, UEmay obtain location measurements and send the measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF) for computation of a location estimate for UE. For RAT-dependent position methods location measurements may include one or more of a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Round Trip signal propagation Time (RTT), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Time of Arrival (TOA), AoA, Receive Time-Transmission Time Difference (Rx-Tx), Differential AoA (DAoA), AoD, or Timing Advance (TA) for gNBs, ng-eNB, and/or one or more access points for WLAN. Additionally or alternatively, similar measurements may be made of sidelink signals transmitted by other UEs, which may serve as anchor points for positioning of the UEif the positions of the other UEs are known. The location measurements may also or instead include measurements for RAT-independent positioning methods such as GNSS (e.g., GNSS pseudorange, GNSS code phase, and/or GNSS carrier phase for satellites), WLAN, etc.

105 105 220 210 214 216 With a UE-based position method, UEmay obtain location measurements (e.g., which may be the same as or similar to location measurements for a UE assisted position method) and may further compute a location of UE(e.g., with the help of assistance data received from a location server such as LMF, an SLP, or broadcast by gNBs, ng-eNB, or WLAN).

210 214 216 250 105 105 216 250 220 105 With a network based position method, one or more base stations (e.g., gNBsand/or ng-eNB), one or more APs (e.g., in WLAN), or N3IWFmay obtain location measurements (e.g., measurements of RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, AoA, or TOA) for signals transmitted by UE, and/or may receive measurements obtained by UEor by an AP in WLANin the case of N3IWF, and may send the measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF) for computation of a location estimate for UE.

105 105 105 105 105 Positioning of the UEalso may be categorized as UL, DL, or DL-UL based, depending on the types of signals used for positioning. If, for example, positioning is based solely on signals received at the UE(e.g., from a base station or other UE), the positioning may be categorized as DL based. On the other hand, if positioning is based solely on signals transmitted by the UE(which may be received by a base station or other UE, for example), the positioning may be categorized as UL based. Positioning that is DL-UL based includes positioning, such as RTT-based positioning, that is based on signals that are both transmitted and received by the UE. Sidelink (SL)-assisted positioning comprises signals communicated between the UEand one or more other UEs. According to some embodiments, UL, DL, or DL-UL positioning as described herein may be capable of using SL signaling as a complement or replacement of SL, DL, or DL-UL signaling.

Depending on the type of positioning (e.g., UL, DL, or DL-UL based) the types of reference signals used can vary. For DL-based positioning, for example, these signals may comprise PRS (e.g., DL-PRS transmitted by base stations or SL-PRS transmitted by other UEs), which can be used for TDOA, AoD, and RTT measurements. Other reference signals that can be used for positioning (UL, DL, or DL-UL) may include Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), synchronization signals (e.g., synchronization signal block (SSB) Synchronizations Signal (SS)), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), etc. Moreover, reference signals may be transmitted in a Tx beam and/or received in an Rx beam (e.g., using beamforming techniques), which may impact angular measurements, such as AoD and/or AoA.

3 FIG. 3 FIG. 105 is a diagram showing an example of a frame structure for NR and associated terminology, which can serve as the basis for physical layer communication between the UEand base stations/TRPs. The transmission timeline for each of the downlink and uplink may be partitioned into units of radio frames. Each radio frame may have a predetermined duration (e.g., 10 ms) and may be partitioned into 10 subframes, each of 1 ms, with indices of 0 through 9. Each subframe may include a variable number of slots depending on the subcarrier spacing. Each slot may include a variable number of symbol periods (e.g., 7 or 14 symbols) depending on the subcarrier spacing. The symbol periods in each slot may be assigned indices. A mini slot may comprise a sub slot structure (e.g., 2, 3, or 4 symbols). Additionally shown inis the complete Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) of a subframe, showing how a subframe can be divided across both time and frequency into a plurality of Resource Blocks (RBs). A single RB can comprise a grid of Resource Elements (REs) spanning 14 symbols and 12 subcarriers.

3 FIG. Each symbol in a slot may indicate a link direction (e.g., downlink (DL), uplink (UL), or flexible) or data transmission and the link direction for each subframe may be dynamically switched. The link directions may be based on the slot format. Each slot may include DL/UL data as well as DL/UL control information. In NR, a synchronization signal (SS) block is transmitted. The SS block includes a primary SS (PSS), a secondary SS (SSS), and a two symbol Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). The SS block can be transmitted in a fixed slot location, such as the symbols 0-3 as shown in. The PSS and SSS may be used by UEs for cell search and acquisition. The PSS may provide half-frame timing, the SS may provide the cyclic prefix (CP) length and frame timing. The PSS and SSS may provide the cell identity. The PBCH carries some basic system information, such as downlink system bandwidth, timing information within radio frame, SS burst set periodicity, system frame number, etc.

4 FIG. 3 FIG. 4 FIG. 400 400 120 100 400 200 is a diagram showing an example of a radio frame sequencewith PRS positioning occasions. A “PRS instance” or “PRS occasion” is one instance of a periodically repeated time window (e.g., a group of one or more consecutive slots) where PRS are expected to be transmitted. A PRS occasion may also be referred to as a “PRS positioning occasion,” a “PRS positioning instance, a “positioning occasion,” “a positioning instance,” or simply an “occasion” or “instance.” Subframe sequencemay be applicable to broadcast of PRS signals (DL-PRS signals) from base stationsin positioning system. The radio frame sequencemay be used in 5G NR (e.g., in 5G NR positioning system) and/or in LTE. Similar to, time is represented horizontally (e.g., on an X axis) in, with time increasing from left to right. Frequency is represented vertically (e.g., on a Y axis) with frequency increasing (or decreasing) from bottom to top.

4 FIG. 410 1 410 2 410 3 410 415 420 415 PRS PRS PRS PRS PRS shows how PRS positioning occasions-,-, and-(collectively and generically referred to herein as positioning occasions) are determined by a System Frame Number (SFN), a cell-specific subframe offset (Δ), a length or span of Lsubframes, and the PRS Periodicity (T). The cell-specific PRS subframe configuration may be defined by a “PRS Configuration Index,” I, included in assistance data (e.g., TDOA assistance data), which may be defined by governing 3GPP standards. The cell-specific subframe offset (Δ)may be defined in terms of the number of subframes transmitted starting from System Frame Number (SFN) 0 to the start of the first (subsequent) PRS positioning occasion.

120 410 410 1 410 410 PRS PRS PRS PRS PRS A PRS may be transmitted by wireless nodes (e.g., base stations) after appropriate configuration (e.g., by an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) server). A PRS may be transmitted in special positioning subframes or slots that are grouped into positioning occasions. For example, a PRS positioning occasion-can comprise a number Nof consecutive positioning subframes where the number Nmay be between 1 and 160 (e.g., may include the values 1, 2, 4 and 6 as well as other values). PRS occasionsmay be grouped into one or more PRS occasion groups. As noted, PRS positioning occasionsmay occur periodically at intervals, denoted by a number T, of millisecond (or subframe) intervals where Tmay equal 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640, or 1280 (or any other appropriate value). In some embodiments, Tmay be measured in terms of the number of subframes between the start of consecutive positioning occasions.

105 105 420 415 105 160 220 PRS PRS PRS 1 FIG. 2 FIG. In some embodiments, when a UEreceives a PRS configuration index Iin the assistance data for a particular cell (e.g., base station), the UEmay determine the PRS periodicity Tand cell-specific subframe offset (Δ)using stored indexed data. The UEmay then determine the radio frame, subframe, and slot when a PRS is scheduled in the cell. The assistance data may be determined by, for example, a location server (e.g., location serverinand/or LMFin), and includes assistance data for a reference cell, and a number of neighbor cells supported by various wireless nodes.

PRS 415 120 105 410 105 105 Typically, PRS occasions from all cells in a network that use the same frequency are aligned in time and may have a fixed known time offset (e.g., cell-specific subframe offset (Δ)) relative to other cells in the network that use a different frequency. In SFN-synchronous networks all wireless nodes (e.g., base stations) may be aligned on both frame boundary and system frame number. Therefore, in SFN-synchronous networks all cells supported by the various wireless nodes may use the same PRS configuration index for any particular frequency of PRS transmission. On the other hand, in SFN-asynchronous networks, the various wireless nodes may be aligned on a frame boundary, but not system frame number. Thus, in SFN-asynchronous networks the PRS configuration index for each cell may be configured separately by the network so that PRS occasions align in time. A UEmay determine the timing of the PRS occasionsof the reference and neighbor cells for TDOA positioning, if the UEcan obtain the cell timing (e.g., SFN or Frame Number) of at least one of the cells, e.g., the reference cell or a serving cell. The timing of the other cells may then be derived by the UEbased, for example, on the assumption that PRS occasions from different cells overlap.

3 FIG. 5 FIG. With reference to the frame structure in, a collection of REs that are used for transmission of PRS is referred to as a “PRS resource.” The collection of resource elements can span multiple RBs in the frequency domain and one or more consecutive symbols within a slot in the time domain, inside which pseudo-random Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) sequences are transmitted from an antenna port of a TRP. In a given OFDM symbol in the time domain, a PRS resource occupies consecutive RBs in the frequency domain. The transmission of a PRS resource within a given RB has a particular combination, or “comb,” size. (Comb size also may be referred to as the “comb density.”) A comb size “N” represents the subcarrier spacing (or frequency/tone spacing) within each symbol of a PRS resource configuration, where the configuration uses every Nth subcarrier of certain symbols of an RB. For example, for comb-4, for each of the four symbols of the PRS resource configuration, REs corresponding to every fourth subcarrier (e.g., subcarriers 0, 4, 8) are used to transmit PRS of the PRS resource. Comb sizes of comb-2, comb-4, comb-6, and comb-12, for example, may be used in PRS. Examples of different comb sizes using with different numbers of symbols are provided in.

6 FIG. 2 FIG. 600 600 602 601 604 604 602 235 602 is a block diagram illustrating an example operating environment, according to aspects of the disclosure. In operating environment, a RAN nodeserves a RAN cell, which is a serving cell of a wireless communication device (WCD). In some implementations, wireless communication devicecan be a UE. In some implementations, RAN nodecan be a node of an NG-RAN, such as NG-RANof. In some implementations, RAN nodecan be a gNB or an ng-eNB.

602 606 604 601 602 608 601 RAN nodecan transmit channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs), which mobile devices (such as wireless communication device) in RAN cellcan measure in conjunction with downlink (DL) channel state evaluation and reporting. RAN nodecan also transmit sensing reference signals (RSs), which mobile devices in RAN cellcan measure in conjunction with bi-static or multi-static radar sensing.

601 601 602 610 602 610 In order to notify mobile devices in RAN cellof parameters defining aspects of sensing reference signal transmission in RAN cell, RAN nodecan transmit sensing reference signal configuration information. In some implementations, RAN nodecan transmit sensing reference signal configuration informationin radio resource control (RRC) messages. In some such implementations, the RRC messages can be common configuration messages.

602 608 610 608 610 608 5 FIG. In some implementations, RAN nodecan transmit sensing reference signalsaccording to a comb (or “staggering”) structure, which may be analogous to the various comb structures for PRSs transmission depicted in. In some such implementations, sensing reference signal configuration informationcan indicate the comb or staggering structure applied in conjunction with transmission of sensing reference signals. In some implementations, sensing reference signal configuration informationcan indicate a maximum number of antenna ports supported by transmission of sensing reference signals.

610 612 612 604 601 602 608 According to aspects of the disclosure, sensing reference signal configuration informationcan include sensing slot allocation information. Sensing slot allocation informationcan include information indicating—or usable by mobile devices (such as wireless communication device) in RAN cellto determine—slots during which RAN nodewill transmit sensing reference signals. Such slots are referred to herein as “sensing slots.”

602 601 602 601 604 601 606 602 602 602 604 601 602 601 In various implementations, RAN nodecan have the ability to selectively enable (or disable) sensing RS-based channel state measurements within RAN cell. In an example in which RAN nodedisables sensing RS-based channel state measurements within RAN cell, each mobile device (such as wireless communication device) operating in RAN cellmay obtain channel state measurements by measuring only CSI-RSs. In various implementations, if it has enabled sensing RS-based channel state measurements, RAN nodemay drop any CSI-RS transmission occasion that is allocated within a sensing slot. In some implementations, RAN nodecan have the ability to enable (or disable) sensing RS-based channel state measurements on a per-device basis. In an example, RAN nodemay enable sensing RS-based channel state measurements on the part of wireless communication device, but may disable sensing RS-based channel state measurements on the part of another mobile device operating in RAN cell. In some implementations, RAN nodemay drop any CSI-RS transmission occasion that is allocated within a sensing slot as long as it has enabled sensing RS-based channel state measurements on the part of at least one device operating in RAN cell.

612 602 608 In some implementations, sensing slot allocation informationcan indicate whether RAN nodetransmits sensing reference signalsaccording to a contiguous sensing slot allocation or a non-contiguous sensing slot allocation. According to a contiguous sensing slot allocation, contiguous series of sensing slots can occur at regular intervals defined by a sensing slot period. According to a non-contiguous sensing slot allocation, sensing slots can be clustered at regular intervals defined by the sensing slot period, but can be interspersed among—for example, interleaved with—other slots that are not sensing slots.

7 FIG. 700 700 illustrates an example of a contiguous sensing slot allocation. According to contiguous sensing slot allocation, a sensing slot period

defines the amount of time between the respective beginnings of two consecutive contiguous series of sensing slots, each of which lasts for a duration of

A time offset

700 defines a starting time of the first contiguous series of sensing slots. According to contiguous sensing slot allocation, the slots that are allocated as sensing slots can be those that satisfy Inequality (1) as follows:

where

f is the number of slots in a frame, nis the system frame number,

is the slot number within the radio frame, and μ is the subcarrier spacing index.

7 FIG. 750 750 also illustrates an example of a non-contiguous sensing slot allocation. According to non-contiguous sensing slot allocation, the sensing slot period

defines the amount of time between the respective beginnings of two time intervals during which sensing slots are interspersed among non-sensing slots. The time offset

defines a starting time of the first such time interval. A parameter

defines a number of sensing slot repetitions comprised in each such time interval, and a parameter

700 defines an amount of time between consecutive such repetitions. According to contiguous sensing slot allocation, the slots that are allocated as sensing slots can be those that satisfy Inequality (2) and Equation (3) as follows:

where

f is the number of slots in a frame, nis the system frame number,

is the slot number within the radio frame, and μ is the subcarrier spacing index.

6 FIG. 602 614 604 604 614 604 602 604 604 604 Returning to, RAN nodecan transmit CSI reporting configuration informationto wireless communication deviceto control channel state measurement and reporting operations of wireless communication device. According to aspects of the disclosure, by sending CSI reporting configuration informationto wireless communication device, RAN nodecan provide wireless communication devicewith a CSI report configuration. The CSI report configuration can define or specify parameters according to which wireless communication deviceis to generate and transmit one or more CSI reports. According to aspects of the disclosure, the CSI report configuration can specify reference signals that wireless communication deviceis to measure to obtain channel state measurements based on which it is to determine channel state information for inclusion in one or more CSI reports.

600 604 640 636 638 640 602 604 636 614 640 In operating environment, wireless communication devicecan determine channel state informationbased on channel state measurements, and can transmit a CSI reportincluding channel state informationto RAN node. According to aspects of the disclosure, wireless communication devicecan identify a set of basis reference signals to be measured to obtain channel state measurementsbased on a CSI report configuration indicated by CSI reporting configuration information. In various embodiments, channel state informationcan include any or all of a rank indicator (RI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), and a channel quality indicator (CQI).

606 608 640 606 608 640 604 636 606 608 604 636 606 608 According to some implementations, the CSI report configuration can specify use of only CSI-RSsor only sensing reference signalsas basis reference signals for CSI report. According to other implementations, the CSI report configuration can permit use of either or both of CSI-RSsand sensing reference signalsas basis reference signals CSI report. For instance, according to the CSI report configuration in some implementations, wireless communication devicecan obtain channel state measurementsby measuring whichever of CSI-RSsand sensing reference signalshas been transmitted most recently. In some implementations, wireless communication devicecan obtain channel state measurementsby measuring whichever of CSI-RSsand sensing reference signalshas been transmitted most recently, but no later than a CSI reference resource associated with the CSI report configuration.

604 606 608 636 606 608 604 606 608 640 602 604 616 604 606 608 According to the CSI report configuration in some implementations, wireless communication devicecan measure both CSI-RSsand sensing reference signals, such that channel state measurementsinclude both measurements of CSI-RSsand measurements of sensing reference signals. In various such implementations, wireless communication devicecan combine the measurements of CSI-RSsand measurements of sensing reference signalsto obtain combined channel state measurements, and can determine channel state informationbased on the combined channel state measurements. According to aspects of the disclosure, RAN nodecan provide wireless communication devicewith port mapping informationthat indicates a mapping between sensing reference signal ports and CSI-RS ports, and wireless communication devicecan combine measurements of CSI-RSsand measurements of sensing reference signalswith reference to that mapping.

602 616 604 616 602 616 604 616 602 616 604 616 In some implementations, RAN nodecan signal port mapping informationto wireless communication deviceby transmitting downlink control information (DCI) that includes port mapping information. In some other implementations, RAN nodecan signal port mapping informationto wireless communication deviceby transmitting a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) that includes port mapping information. In yet other implementations, RAN nodecan signal port mapping informationto wireless communication deviceby transmitting an RRC message that includes port mapping information.

616 616 In various implementations, port mapping informationcan indicate a precoding matrix that specifies a mapping between sensing reference signal ports and CSI-RS ports. In some implementations, port mapping informationcan indicate a precoding matrix W that specifies a mapping between sensing reference signal ports and CSI-RS ports according to Equation (4) as follows:

where M is the number of sensing reference signal ports, N is the number of CSI-RS ports,

m is the sensing reference signal transmitted on the port indexed with p,

n sensing CSIRS is the CSI-RS signal transmitted on the port indexed with {tilde over (p)}, βand βare power offset values for sensing reference signals and CSI-RSs, respectively, and W is an N×M precoding matrix. According to aspects of the disclosure, W can be an N×M precoding matrix among those in a defined codebook, such as an N-port, rank-M DL codebook.

616 616 m In various implementations, port mapping informationcan indicate a precoding vector that specifies a mapping between sensing reference signal ports and CSI-RS ports. In some implementations, if the number of CSI-RS ports N is equal to the number of sensing reference signal ports M multiplied by a positive integer K, port mapping informationcan indicate a precoding vector wthat specifies a mapping between sensing reference signal ports and CSI-RS ports according to Equation (5) as follows:

m m m m where wis a K×1 precoding vector. According to aspects of the disclosure, wcan be a K×1 precoding vector among those in a defined rank-1 codebook, such as a K-port, rank-1 DL codebook. In some implementations, the N CSI-RS ports can be divided into M CSI-RS port groups, and a separate wcan be signaled for each of the M CSI-RS port groups. In some other implementations, a common wcan be signaled for all of the M CSI-RS port groups.

8 FIG. 8 FIG. 9 FIG. 7 FIG. 6 FIG. 800 604 600 illustrates an example CSI reporting methodaccording to aspects of the disclosure. According to aspects of the disclosure, means for performing the functionality illustrated in one or more of the blocks shown inmay be performed by hardware and/or software components of a mobile device, such as a UE. Example components of a UE are illustrated in, which is described in more detail below. In some examples, wireless communication devicemay perform the functionality illustrated in one or more of the blocks shown inin operating environmentof.

810 600 604 614 602 810 905 910 920 930 960 6 FIG. 9 FIG. At block, the functionality comprises identifying a channel state information (CSI) report configuration based on CSI reporting configuration information received from a RAN node of a RAN. For example, in operating environmentof, wireless communication devicecan identify a CSI report configuration based on CSI reporting configuration informationreceived from RAN node. Means for performing functionality at blockmay comprise a bus, processors, digital signal processor (DSP), wireless communication interface, memory, and/or other components of a UE, as illustrated in.

820 614 600 604 602 608 820 905 910 920 930 960 6 FIG. 9 FIG. At block, the functionality comprises identifying, based on the CSI report configuration, a set of basis reference signals to be measured on a wireless channel of the RAN, wherein the set of basis reference signals includes one or more sensing reference signals. For example, based on a CSI report configuration identified based on CSI reporting configuration informationin operating environmentof, wireless communication devicecan identify a set of basis reference signals to be measured on a wireless channel of a RAN comprising RAN node, and the set of basis reference signals can include one or more sensing reference signals. Means for performing functionality at blockmay comprise a bus, processors, digital signal processor (DSP), wireless communication interface, memory, and/or other components of a UE, as illustrated in.

In some implementations, each basis reference signal in the set of basis reference signals can be a sensing reference signal. In some other implementations, the set of basis reference signals can also include one or more CSI-RSs. In some implementations, a reference signal scope can be determined based on the CSI report configuration, and the set of basis reference signals can be identified based on the reference signal scope. In some implementations, the reference signal scope can exclude CSI-RSs from the set of basis reference signals, such that the set of basis reference signals can consist only of sensing reference signals. In some other implementations, the reference signal scope can permit inclusion of CSI-RSs among the set of basis reference signals. In some such implementations, a determination that the set of basis reference signals includes one or more sensing reference signals but not any CSI-RSs can be made based on a determination that the one or more sensing reference signals are more recent than any CSI-RSs.

In some implementations, the one or more sensing reference signals can be identified based on sensing slot allocation information received from the RAN node. In some implementations, the sensing slot allocation information can indicate whether the RAN node transmits sensing reference signals according to a contiguous sensing slot allocation or a non-contiguous sensing slot allocation. In some implementations, the sensing slot allocation information can be comprised in a radio resource control (RRC) message received from the RAN node. In some such implementations, the RRC message can include information indicating a sensing reference signal comb structure.

830 600 604 820 636 830 905 910 920 930 960 6 FIG. 9 FIG. At block, the functionality comprises measuring the set of basis reference signals to obtain channel state measurements. For example, in operating environmentof, wireless communication devicecan measure a set of basis reference signals identified at blockto obtain channel state measurements. Means for performing functionality at blockmay comprise a bus, processors, digital signal processor (DSP), wireless communication interface, memory, and/or other components of a UE, as illustrated in.

In some implementations, measurements of sensing reference signals among the set of basis reference signals can be combined with measurements of CSI-RSs among the set of basis reference signals to obtain combined channel state measurements. In some implementations, the measurements of the sensing reference signals can be combined with the measurements of the CSI-RSs based on a precoding matrix or precoding vector. In various implementations, the precoding matrix or precoding vector can be determined based on downlink control information (DCI), a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), or a radio resource control (RRC) message received from the RAN node.

840 600 604 640 636 840 905 910 920 930 960 6 FIG. 9 FIG. At block, the functionality comprises determining channel state information based on the channel state measurements. For example, in operating environmentof, wireless communication devicecan determine channel state informationbased on channel state measurements. Means for performing functionality at blockmay comprise a bus, processors, digital signal processor (DSP), wireless communication interface, memory, and/or other components of a UE, as illustrated in.

In some implementations, the channel state information can be determined based on combined channel state measurements obtained by combining measurements of sensing reference signals among the set of basis reference signals with measurements of CSI-RSs among the set of basis reference signals.

850 600 604 638 640 602 850 905 910 920 930 960 6 FIG. 9 FIG. At block, the functionality comprises transmitting a CSI report including the channel state information to the RAN node. For example, in operating environmentof, wireless communication devicecan transmit a CSI reportincluding channel state informationto RAN node. Means for performing functionality at blockmay comprise a bus, processors, digital signal processor (DSP), wireless communication interface, memory, and/or other components of a UE, as illustrated in.

9 FIG. 1 2 6 8 FIGS.,,, and 1 2 FIGS.and 6 FIG. 8 FIG. 9 FIG. 9 FIG. 9 FIG. 900 900 105 604 900 800 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a UE, which can be utilized as described herein above (e.g., in association with). For example, the UEcan be used to implement one or both of UEofand wireless communication deviceof. In some examples, UEcan perform one or more operations associated with CSI reporting methodof. It should be noted thatis meant only to provide a generalized illustration of various components, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate. It can be noted that, in some instances, components illustrated bycan be localized to a single physical device and/or distributed among various networked devices, which may be disposed at different physical locations. Furthermore, as previously noted, the functionality of the UE discussed in the previously described embodiments may be executed by one or more of the hardware and/or software components illustrated in.

900 905 910 910 920 910 930 900 970 915 9 FIG. The UEis shown comprising hardware elements that can be electrically coupled via a bus(or may otherwise be in communication, as appropriate). The hardware elements may include a processor(s)which can include without limitation one or more general-purpose processors (e.g., an application processor), one or more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processor (DSP) chips, graphics acceleration processors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and/or the like), and/or other processing structures or means. Processor(s)may comprise one or more processing units, which may be housed in a single integrated circuit (IC) or multiple ICs. As shown in, some embodiments may have a separate DSP, depending on desired functionality. Location determination and/or other determinations based on wireless communication may be provided in the processor(s)and/or wireless communication interface(discussed below). The UEalso can include one or more input devices, which can include without limitation one or more keyboards, touch screens, touch pads, microphones, buttons, dials, switches, and/or the like; and one or more output devices, which can include without limitation one or more displays (e.g., touch screens), light emitting diodes (LEDs), speakers, and/or the like.

900 930 900 930 932 934 932 932 930 The UEmay also include a wireless communication interface, which may comprise without limitation a modem, a network card, an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device, and/or a chipset (such as a Bluetooth® device, an IEEE 802.11 device, an IEEE 802.15.4 device, a Wi-Fi device, a WiMAX device, a WAN device, and/or various cellular devices, etc.), and/or the like, which may enable the UEto communicate with other devices as described in the embodiments above. The wireless communication interfacemay permit data and signaling to be communicated (e.g., transmitted and received) with TRPs of a network, for example, via eNBs, gNBs, ng-eNBs, access points, various base stations and/or other access node types, and/or other network components, computer systems, and/or any other electronic devices communicatively coupled with TRPs, as described herein. The communication can be carried out via one or more wireless communication antenna(s)that send and/or receive wireless signals. According to some embodiments, the wireless communication antenna(s)may comprise a plurality of discrete antennas, antenna arrays, or any combination thereof. The antenna(s)may be capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals using beams (e.g., Tx beams and Rx beams). Beam formation may be performed using digital and/or analog beam formation techniques, with respective digital and/or analog circuitry. The wireless communication interfacemay include such circuitry.

930 900 Depending on desired functionality, the wireless communication interfacemay comprise a separate receiver and transmitter, or any combination of transceivers, transmitters, and/or receivers to communicate with base stations (e.g., ng-eNBs and gNBs) and other terrestrial transceivers, such as wireless devices and access points. The UEmay communicate with different data networks that may comprise various network types. For example, a WWAN may be a CDMA network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) network, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, a Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) network, a WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) network, and so on. A CDMA network may implement one or more RATs such as CDMA2000®, WCDMA, and so on. CDMA2000® includes IS-95, IS-2000 and/or IS-856 standards. A TDMA network may implement GSM, Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System (D-AMPS), or some other RAT. An OFDMA network may employ LTE, LTE Advanced, 5G NR, and so on. 5G NR, LTE, LTE Advanced, GSM, and WCDMA are described in documents from 3GPP. CDMA2000® is described in documents from a consortium named “3rd Generation Partnership Project 2” (3GPP2). 3GPP and 3GPP2 documents are publicly available. A wireless local area network (WLAN) may also be an IEEE 802.11x network, and a wireless personal area network (WPAN) may be a Bluetooth network, an IEEE 802.15x, or some other type of network. The techniques described herein may also be used for any combination of WWAN, WLAN and/or WPAN.

900 940 940 The UEcan further include sensor(s). Sensor(s)may comprise, without limitation, one or more inertial sensors and/or other sensors (e.g., accelerometer(s), gyroscope(s), camera(s), magnetometer(s), altimeter(s), microphone(s), proximity sensor(s), light sensor(s), barometer(s), and the like), some of which may be used to obtain position-related measurements and/or other information.

900 980 984 982 932 980 900 980 Embodiments of the UEmay also include a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivercapable of receiving signalsfrom one or more GNSS satellites using an antenna(which could be the same as antenna). Positioning based on GNSS signal measurement can be utilized to complement and/or incorporate the techniques described herein. The GNSS receivercan extract a position of the UE, using conventional techniques, from GNSS satellites of a GNSS system, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo, GLONASS, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) over Japan, IRNSS over India, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) over China, and/or the like. Moreover, the GNSS receivercan be used with various augmentation systems (e.g., a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS)) that may be associated with or otherwise enabled for use with one or more global and/or regional navigation satellite systems, such as, e.g., Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), and Geo Augmented Navigation system (GAGAN), and/or the like.

980 910 920 930 910 920 9 FIG. It can be noted that, although GNSS receiveris illustrated inas a distinct component, embodiments are not so limited. As used herein, the term “GNSS receiver” may comprise hardware and/or software components configured to obtain GNSS measurements (measurements from GNSS satellites). In some embodiments, therefore, the GNSS receiver may comprise a measurement engine executed (as software) by one or more processors, such as processor(s), DSP, and/or a processor within the wireless communication interface(e.g., in a modem). A GNSS receiver may optionally also include a positioning engine, which can use GNSS measurements from the measurement engine to determine a position of the GNSS receiver using an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), Weighted Least Squares (WLS), particle filter, or the like. The positioning engine may also be executed by one or more processors, such as processor(s)or DSP.

900 960 960 The UEmay further include and/or be in communication with a memory. The memorycan include, without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage, a disk drive, a drive array, an optical storage device, a solid-state storage device, such as a random access memory (RAM), and/or a read-only memory (ROM), which can be programmable, flash-updateable, and/or the like. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any appropriate data stores, including without limitation, various file systems, database structures, and/or the like.

960 900 960 900 910 920 900 9 FIG. The memoryof the UEalso can comprise software elements (not shown in), including an operating system, device drivers, executable libraries, and/or other code, such as one or more application programs, which may comprise computer programs provided by various embodiments, and/or may be designed to implement methods, and/or configure systems, provided by other embodiments, as described herein. Merely by way of example, one or more procedures described with respect to the method(s) discussed above may be implemented as code and/or instructions in memorythat are executable by the UE(and/or processor(s)or DSPwithin UE). In some embodiments, then, such code and/or instructions can be used to configure and/or adapt a general-purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or more operations in accordance with the described methods.

10 FIG. 1 2 6 8 FIGS.-,, and 1 2 FIGS.and 6 FIG. 10 FIG. 1000 1000 120 602 1000 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a base station, which can be utilized as described herein above (e.g., in association with). For example, the base stationcan be used to implement one or both of a base stationofand RAN nodeof. It should be noted thatis meant only to provide a generalized illustration of various components, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate. In some embodiments, the base stationmay correspond to a gNB, an ng-eNB, and/or (more generally) a TRP.

1000 1005 1010 1020 1010 1030 1000 10 FIG. The base stationis shown comprising hardware elements that can be electrically coupled via a bus(or may otherwise be in communication, as appropriate). The hardware elements may include a processor(s)which can include without limitation one or more general-purpose processors, one or more special-purpose processors (such as DSP chips, graphics acceleration processors, ASICs, and/or the like), and/or other processing structure or means. As shown in, some embodiments may have a separate DSP, depending on desired functionality. Location determination and/or other determinations based on wireless communication may be provided in the processor(s)and/or wireless communication interface(discussed below), according to some embodiments. The base stationalso can include one or more input devices, which can include without limitation a keyboard, display, mouse, microphone, button(s), dial(s), switch(es), and/or the like; and one or more output devices, which can include without limitation a display, light emitting diode (LED), speakers, and/or the like.

1000 1030 1000 1030 1032 1034 The base stationmight also include a wireless communication interface, which may comprise without limitation a modem, a network card, an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device, and/or a chipset (such as a Bluetooth® device, an IEEE 802.11 device, an IEEE 802.15.4 device, a Wi-Fi device, a WiMAX device, cellular communication facilities, etc.), and/or the like, which may enable the base stationto communicate as described herein. The wireless communication interfacemay permit data and signaling to be communicated (e.g., transmitted and received) to UEs, other base stations/TRPs (e.g., eNBs, gNBs, and ng-eNBs), and/or other network components, computer systems, and/or any other electronic devices described herein. The communication can be carried out via one or more wireless communication antenna(s)that send and/or receive wireless signals.

1000 1080 1080 1080 The base stationmay also include a network interface, which can include support of wireline communication technologies. The network interfacemay include a modem, network card, chipset, and/or the like. The network interfacemay include one or more input and/or output communication interfaces to permit data to be exchanged with a network, communication network servers, computer systems, and/or any other electronic devices described herein.

1000 1060 1060 In many embodiments, the base stationmay further comprise a memory. The memorycan include, without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage, a disk drive, a drive array, an optical storage device, a solid-state storage device, such as a RAM, and/or a ROM, which can be programmable, flash-updateable, and/or the like. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any appropriate data stores, including without limitation, various file systems, database structures, and/or the like.

1060 1000 1060 1000 1010 1020 1000 10 FIG. The memoryof the base stationalso may comprise software elements (not shown in), including an operating system, device drivers, executable libraries, and/or other code, such as one or more application programs, which may comprise computer programs provided by various embodiments, and/or may be designed to implement methods, and/or configure systems, provided by other embodiments, as described herein. Merely by way of example, one or more procedures described with respect to the method(s) discussed above may be implemented as code and/or instructions in memorythat are executable by the base station(and/or processor(s)or DSPwithin base station). In some embodiments, then, such code and/or instructions can be used to configure and/or adapt a general-purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or more operations in accordance with the described methods.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantial variations may be made in accordance with specific requirements. For example, customized hardware might also be used and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets, etc.), or both. Further, connection to other computing devices such as network input/output devices may be employed.

With reference to the appended figures, components that can include memory can include non-transitory machine-readable media. The term “machine-readable medium” and “computer-readable medium” as used herein, refer to any storage medium that participates in providing data that causes a machine to operate in a specific fashion. In embodiments provided hereinabove, various machine-readable media might be involved in providing instructions/code to processors and/or other device(s) for execution. Additionally or alternatively, the machine-readable media might be used to store and/or carry such instructions/code. In many implementations, a computer-readable medium is a physical and/or tangible storage medium. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, magnetic and/or optical media, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read instructions and/or code.

The methods, systems, and devices discussed herein are examples. Various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. The various components of the figures provided herein can be embodied in hardware and/or software. Also, technology evolves and, thus many of the elements are examples that do not limit the scope of the disclosure to those specific examples.

It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, information, values, elements, symbols, characters, variables, terms, numbers, numerals, or the like. It should be understood, however, that all of these or similar terms are to be associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as is apparent from the discussion above, it is appreciated that throughout this Specification discussion utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “ascertaining,” “identifying,” “associating,” “measuring,” “performing,” or the like refer to actions or processes of a specific apparatus, such as a special purpose computer or a similar special purpose electronic computing device. In the context of this Specification, therefore, a special purpose computer or a similar special purpose electronic computing device is capable of manipulating or transforming signals, typically represented as physical electronic, electrical, or magnetic quantities within memories, registers, or other information storage devices, transmission devices, or display devices of the special purpose computer or similar special purpose electronic computing device.

Terms, “and” and “or” as used herein, may include a variety of meanings that also is expected to depend, at least in part, upon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if used to associate a list, such as A, B, or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B, or C, here used in the exclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as used herein may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in the singular or may be used to describe some combination of features, structures, or characteristics. However, it should be noted that this is merely an illustrative example and claimed subject matter is not limited to this example. Furthermore, the term “at least one of” if used to associate a list, such as A, B, or C, can be interpreted to mean any combination of A, B, and/or C, such as A, AB, AA, AAB, AABBCCC, etc.

Having described several embodiments, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the above elements may merely be a component of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the various embodiments. Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are considered. Accordingly, the above description does not limit the scope of the disclosure.

In view of this description embodiments may include different combinations of features. Implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1. A method for wireless communication by a wireless communication device in a radio access network (RAN), the method including identifying a channel state information (CSI) report configuration based on CSI reporting configuration information received from a RAN node of the RAN, based on the CSI report configuration, identifying a set of basis reference signals to be measured on a wireless channel of the RAN, where the set of basis reference signals includes one or more sensing reference signals, measuring the set of basis reference signals to obtain channel state measurements, determining channel state information based on the channel state measurements, and transmitting a CSI report including the channel state information to the RAN node.

Clause 2. The method of clause 1, where the set of basis reference signals further includes one or more channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs).

Clause 3. The method of clause 2, further including combining measurements of sensing reference signals among the set of basis reference signals with measurements of CSI-RSs among the set of basis reference signals, resulting in combined channel state measurements, and determining the channel state information based on the combined channel state measurements.

Clause 4. The method of clause 3, further including combining the measurements of the sensing reference signals with the measurements of the CSI-RSs based on a precoding matrix.

Clause 5. The method of clause 3, further including combining the measurements of the sensing reference signals with the measurements of the CSI-RSs based on a precoding vector.

Clause 6. The method of any of clauses 4 to 5, further including determining the precoding matrix or precoding vector based on downlink control information (DCI) received from the RAN node.

Clause 7. The method of any of clauses 4 to 5, further including determining the precoding matrix or precoding vector based on a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) received from the RAN node.

Clause 8. The method of any of clauses 4 to 5, further including determining the precoding matrix or precoding vector based on a radio resource control (RRC) message received from the RAN node.

Clause 9. The method of any of clauses 1 to 8, where each basis reference signal in the set of basis reference signals is a sensing reference signal.

Clause 10. The method of any of clauses 1 to 9, further including determining a reference signal scope for the CSI report based on the CSI report configuration, and identifying the set of basis reference signals based on the reference signal scope.

Clause 11. The method of clause 10, where the reference signal scope excludes channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) from the set of basis reference signals.

Clause 12. The method of clause 10, where according to the reference signal scope, channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) can be included among the set of basis reference signals.

Clause 13. The method of clause 12, further including determining that the set of basis reference signals includes the one or more sensing reference signals and does not include one or more CSI-RSs based on a determination that the one or more sensing reference signals are more recent than the one or more CSI-RSs.

Clause 14. The method of any of clauses 1 to 13, further including identifying the one or more sensing reference signals based on sensing slot allocation information received from the RAN node.

Clause 15. The method of clause 14, where the sensing slot allocation information indicates whether the RAN node transmits sensing reference signals according to a contiguous sensing slot allocation.

Clause 16. The method of clause 14, where the sensing slot allocation information indicates whether the RAN node transmits sensing reference signals according to a non-contiguous sensing slot allocation.

Clause 17. The method of any of clauses 14 to 16, where the sensing slot allocation information is included in a radio resource control (RRC) message received from the RAN node.

Clause 18. The method of clause 17, where the RRC message includes information indicating a sensing reference signal comb structure.

Clause 19. A wireless communication device, including a transceiver, a memory, and one or more processors communicatively coupled with the transceiver and the memory, where the one or more processors are configured to identify a channel state information (CSI) report configuration based on CSI reporting configuration information received from a RAN node of a RAN, based on the CSI report configuration, identify a set of basis reference signals to be measured on a wireless channel of the RAN, where the set of basis reference signals includes one or more sensing reference signals, measure the set of basis reference signals to obtain channel state measurements, determine channel state information based on the channel state measurements, and transmit a CSI report including the channel state information to the RAN node.

Clause 20. The wireless communication device of clause 19, where the set of basis reference signals further includes one or more channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs).

Clause 21. The wireless communication device of clause 20, where the one or more processors are configured to combine measurements of sensing reference signals among the set of basis reference signals with measurements of CSI-RSs among the set of basis reference signals, resulting in combined channel state measurements, and determine the channel state information based on the combined channel state measurements.

Clause 22. The wireless communication device of clause 21, where the one or more processors are configured to combine the measurements of the sensing reference signals with the measurements of the CSI-RSs based on a precoding matrix.

Clause 23. The wireless communication device of clause 21, where the one or more processors are configured to combine the measurements of the sensing reference signals with the measurements of the CSI-RSs based on a precoding vector.

Clause 24. The wireless communication device of any of clauses 22 to 23, where the one or more processors are configured to determine the precoding matrix or precoding vector based on downlink control information (DCI) received from the RAN node.

Clause 25. The wireless communication device of any of clauses 22 to 23, where the one or more processors are configured to determine the precoding matrix or precoding vector based on a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) received from the RAN node.

Clause 26. The wireless communication device of any of clauses 22 to 23, where the one or more processors are configured to determine the precoding matrix or precoding vector based on a radio resource control (RRC) message received from the RAN node.

Clause 27. The wireless communication device of any of clauses 19 to 26, where each basis reference signal in the set of basis reference signals is a sensing reference signal.

Clause 28. The wireless communication device of any of clauses 19 to 26, where the one or more processors are configured to determine a reference signal scope for the CSI report based on the CSI report configuration, and identify the set of basis reference signals based on the reference signal scope.

Clause 29. The wireless communication device of clause 28, where the reference signal scope excludes channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) from the set of basis reference signals.

Clause 30. The wireless communication device of clause 28, where according to the reference signal scope, channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) can be included among the set of basis reference signals.

Clause 31. The wireless communication device of clause 30, where the one or more processors are configured to determine that the set of basis reference signals includes the one or more sensing reference signals and does not include one or more CSI-RSs based on a determination that the one or more sensing reference signals are more recent than the one or more CSI-RSs.

Clause 32. The wireless communication device of any of clauses 19 to 31, where the one or more processors are configured to identify the one or more sensing reference signals based on sensing slot allocation information received from the RAN node.

Clause 33. The wireless communication device of clause 32, where the sensing slot allocation information indicates whether the RAN node transmits sensing reference signals according to a contiguous sensing slot allocation.

Clause 34. The wireless communication device of clause 32, where the sensing slot allocation information indicates whether the RAN node transmits sensing reference signals according to a non-contiguous sensing slot allocation.

Clause 35. The wireless communication device of any of clauses 32 to 34, where the sensing slot allocation information is included in a radio resource control (RRC) message received from the RAN node.

Clause 36. The wireless communication device of clause 35, where the RRC message includes information indicating a sensing reference signal comb structure.

Clause 37. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing wireless communication instructions for a wireless communication device, the instructions including code for identifying a channel state information (CSI) report configuration based on CSI reporting configuration information received from a RAN node of a RAN, based on the CSI report configuration, identifying a set of basis reference signals to be measured on a wireless channel of the RAN, where the set of basis reference signals includes one or more sensing reference signals, measuring the set of basis reference signals to obtain channel state measurements, determining channel state information based on the channel state measurements, and transmitting a CSI report including the channel state information to the RAN node.

Clause 38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 37, where the set of basis reference signals further includes one or more channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs).

Clause 39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 38, the instructions further including code for combining measurements of sensing reference signals among the set of basis reference signals with measurements of CSI-RSs among the set of basis reference signals, resulting in combined channel state measurements, and determining the channel state information based on the combined channel state measurements.

Clause 40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 39, the instructions further including code for combining the measurements of the sensing reference signals with the measurements of the CSI-RSs based on a precoding matrix.

Clause 41. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 39, the instructions further including code for combining the measurements of the sensing reference signals with the measurements of the CSI-RSs based on a precoding vector.

Clause 42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 40 to 41, the instructions further including code for determining the precoding matrix or precoding vector based on downlink control information (DCI) received from the RAN node.

Clause 43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 40 to 41, the instructions further including code for determining the precoding matrix or precoding vector based on a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) received from the RAN node.

Clause 44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 40 to 41, the instructions further including code for determining the precoding matrix or precoding vector based on a radio resource control (RRC) message received from the RAN node.

Clause 45. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 37 to 44, where each basis reference signal in the set of basis reference signals is a sensing reference signal.

Clause 46. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 37 to 45, the instructions further including code for determining a reference signal scope for the CSI report based on the CSI report configuration, and identifying the set of basis reference signals based on the reference signal scope.

Clause 47. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 46, where the reference signal scope excludes channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) from the set of basis reference signals.

Clause 48. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 46, where according to the reference signal scope, channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) can be included among the set of basis reference signals.

Clause 49. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 48, the instructions further including code for determining that the set of basis reference signals includes the one or more sensing reference signals and does not include one or more CSI-RSs based on a determination that the one or more sensing reference signals are more recent than the one or more CSI-RSs.

Clause 50. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 37 to 49, the instructions further including code for identifying the one or more sensing reference signals based on sensing slot allocation information received from the RAN node.

Clause 51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 50, where the sensing slot allocation information indicates whether the RAN node transmits sensing reference signals according to a contiguous sensing slot allocation.

Clause 52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 50, where the sensing slot allocation information indicates whether the RAN node transmits sensing reference signals according to a non-contiguous sensing slot allocation.

Clause 53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 50 to 52, where the sensing slot allocation information is included in a radio resource control (RRC) message received from the RAN node.

Clause 54. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 53, where the RRC message includes information indicating a sensing reference signal comb structure.

Clause 55. A wireless communication apparatus, including means for identifying a channel state information (CSI) report configuration based on CSI reporting configuration information received from a RAN node of a RAN, means for identifying a set of basis reference signals to be measured on a wireless channel of the RAN based on the CSI report configuration, where the set of basis reference signals includes one or more sensing reference signals, means for measuring the set of basis reference signals to obtain channel state measurements, means for determining channel state information based on the channel state measurements, and means for transmitting a CSI report including the channel state information to the RAN node.

Clause 56. The wireless communication apparatus of clause 55, where the set of basis reference signals further includes one or more channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs).

Clause 57. The wireless communication apparatus of clause 56, further including means for combining measurements of sensing reference signals among the set of basis reference signals with measurements of CSI-RSs among the set of basis reference signals, resulting in combined channel state measurements, and means for determining the channel state information based on the combined channel state measurements.

Clause 58. The wireless communication apparatus of clause 57, further including means for combining the measurements of the sensing reference signals with the measurements of the CSI-RSs based on a precoding matrix.

Clause 59. The wireless communication apparatus of clause 57, further including means for combining the measurements of the sensing reference signals with the measurements of the CSI-RSs based on a precoding vector.

Clause 60. The wireless communication apparatus of any of clauses 58 to 59, further including means for determining the precoding matrix or precoding vector based on downlink control information (DCI) received from the RAN node.

Clause 61. The wireless communication apparatus of any of clauses 58 to 59, further including means for determining the precoding matrix or precoding vector based on a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) received from the RAN node.

Clause 62. The wireless communication apparatus of any of clauses 58 to 59, further including means for determining the precoding matrix or precoding vector based on a radio resource control (RRC) message received from the RAN node.

Clause 63. The wireless communication apparatus of any of clauses 55 to 62, where each basis reference signal in the set of basis reference signals is a sensing reference signal.

Clause 64. The wireless communication apparatus of any of clauses 55 to 63, further including means for determining a reference signal scope for the CSI report based on the CSI report configuration, and identifying the set of basis reference signals based on the reference signal scope.

Clause 65. The wireless communication apparatus of clause 64, where the reference signal scope excludes channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) from the set of basis reference signals.

Clause 66. The wireless communication apparatus of clause 64, where according to the reference signal scope, channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) can be included among the set of basis reference signals.

Clause 67. The wireless communication apparatus of clause 66, further including means for determining that the set of basis reference signals includes the one or more sensing reference signals and does not include one or more CSI-RSs based on a determination that the one or more sensing reference signals are more recent than the one or more CSI-RSs.

Clause 68. The wireless communication apparatus of any of clauses 55 to 67, further including means for identifying the one or more sensing reference signals based on sensing slot allocation information received from the RAN node.

Clause 69. The wireless communication apparatus of clause 68, where the sensing slot allocation information indicates whether the RAN node transmits sensing reference signals according to a contiguous sensing slot allocation.

Clause 70. The wireless communication apparatus of clause 68, where the sensing slot allocation information indicates whether the RAN node transmits sensing reference signals according to a non-contiguous sensing slot allocation.

Clause 71. The wireless communication apparatus of any of clauses 68 to 70, where the sensing slot allocation information is included in a radio resource control (RRC) message received from the RAN node.

Clause 72. The wireless communication apparatus of clause 71, where the RRC message includes information indicating a sensing reference signal comb structure.